Piano teacher CV example

Outlining education on a PE teacher CV

Whether you place the education section before or after work history, it must be comprehensive. Employers won’t take your application further if you don’t have the relevant qualifications.

Most people enter PE teaching by completing a university course – a sports science or physical education degree is the obvious choice. Additionally, you’ll need to obtain qualified teacher status (QTS). You can work towards a QTS certificate alongside your studies or apply for one after graduation.

Sports or PE graduates can also participate in teacher training programmes. Many schools initially employ university leavers as coaches, provided they have specialist coaching credentials (these courses are often run by independent organisations).

When listing your education, include:

• The school, college, university or awarding body
• Study dates
• Qualification type – GCSE, A Level etc.
• Subject or course title
• Results

Once you’ve outlined your formal education, note any additional training courses and achievements. For instance, you might have a level 2 first aid qualification.

Example education section for a PE teacher

Adding contact details to your piano teacher CV

Before you get into the nitty gritty details, outline your contact details at the top of your piano teacher CV. Sounds obvious, right? However, you’d be surprised how many people skip over this essential section. Remember to include:

• First name and surname
• Location – town, city, or address
• Email address – keep it professional
• Phone number – the best one to reach you on

Example of contact section for a piano teacher CV

How to write a personal statement for your piano teacher CV

The first thing an employer reads on receiving a CV is the personal statement. Think about it as a kind of professional dating profile – it’s a chance to express your enthusiasm, show off your positive qualities, and underline what sets you apart from the competition.

A personal statement makes all the difference if you and several other candidates have similar education and career backgrounds. Plus, it’s one of the only places, bar the cover letter, where you can let your personality shine through. Usually, it contains three to four sentences:

• Sentence one explains who you are – e.g. an accomplished piano teacher with over a decade of experience
• Sentence two stresses what you can achieve – e.g. support students in completing their Grade 1 to 5 qualifications
• Sentences three to four prove how – e.g. creates and delivers engaging class plans and syllabuses

When crafting your personal statement:

• Write in the third person – it sounds more professional
• Use positive adjectives, like “caring”, “patient”, and “motivated”
• Back up expertise with real results – you might have helped over 100 pupils achieve their Grade 3 certificate
• Mention any specialisms, such as age groups or online teaching

Example of personal statement for a piano teacher CV

OR

How to present your work history on a piano teacher CV

A comprehensive work history section is crucial, especially if you’re applying for a position in an educational institution. As well as emphasising your musical talent, you must demonstrate teaching experience. Employers need reassurance that you can handle multiple students of various abilities and ages.

Starting with your current or most recent position, include:

• Employer’s name and location
• Job title
• Start and end date
• Responsibilities – between three to six

If you haven’t worked as a piano teacher before, focus on transferable roles and skills. Perhaps, you were part of the local orchestra? Have you ever conducted music lessons on a voluntary, not-for-profit basis? Include any information that’s relevant to the job specification.

Most importantly, think outside the box when listing your duties and substantiate your accomplishments. Employers read through hundreds of piano teacher CVs, so this will help yours to stand out. For example, which sounds more exciting?

“Coordinated yearly talent shows for students.”

OR

“Successfully ran yearly talent shoes with over 100 participants and 300 spectators, preparing pupils for their future live performances.”

Lastly, avoid repetition. Every role is a fantastic opportunity to reveal something brand-new about yourself, giving employers an holistic view of your capabilities. If you’ve covered class planning in one job, mention extended piano techniques, like flageolet or sound icon, in another.

Example of work experience for a piano teacher CV

Top skills for your piano teacher CV

Shouting about yourself can feel awkward, but it’s the only way you’ll get your foot in the door. If there’s one thing employers love, it’s a confident candidate with a repertoire of impressive CV skills. Incorporate a mixture of hard and soft skills to wow the hiring manager.

Hard skills are technical and job-specific – for instance, your Piano Grade 8 qualification. In contrast, soft skills sell your personality. You might be a calm communicator who can always get the best from timid students. If you’re struggling with what to write, ask your friends, family, and former colleagues for their input.

Here are some examples to illustrate the point:

How to add education to your piano teacher CV

Piano teaching differs from other subjects because you don’t necessarily need a qualification to teach the instrument (it’s not a regulated profession). However, formal education demonstrates a good understanding of musical theory and an aptitude for practical techniques. Most employers won’t accept candidates who haven’t gone through the traditional grading process.

Piano teaching and teaching, in general, are similar when it comes to working in educational environments. You’ll need a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) or a postgraduate diploma of education (PGDE) if you already have a degree in music. Alternatively, you can become certified to teach without a degree through the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM).

When listing education or other qualifications, include:

• School, college, university or other awarding body
• Study and graduation dates
• Qualification levels, such as BTEC or PGCE
• Subject title – not required for GCSEs

Example education section for a piano teacher